Ethics in the digital workplace
Digitisation and automation technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), can affect working conditions in a variety of ways and their use in the workplace raises a host of new ethical concerns.
Polish producer of mining machinery and equipment Kopex Machinery has announced that it will cut 340 jobs via collective dismissal programme. The programme will be implemented from 25 May until 30 September 2016 mainly in two companies of the group located in Zabrze and Rybnik. The restructuring programme is associated with the crisis in the coal mining sector in Poland and abroad which affects the company’s ability to obtain new orders and generate a revenue.
Kopex Machinery was formed in 2012 by an alliance of three companies comprising the Kopex capital group: Zabrzańskie Zakłady Mechaniczne in Zabrze, Wamag in Wałbrzych, Ryfama in Rybnik. The company is specialised in manufacturing of mining machinery. Currently, the company employs 1,242 people.
Update (27/04/2016): After negotiations with local trade unions, Kopex Machinery has announced that 305 jobs will be cut via collective dismissal programme (initially this number was estimated to reach 340).
Eurofound (2016), Kopex Machinery, Internal restructuring in Poland, factsheet number 87392, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/87392.